Brandon Beachy, Braves get good news

Braves starting pitcher Brandon Beachy got some good news from the esteemed Dr. James Andrews Tuesday, as it has been confirmed there is no structural damage to Beachy's surgically repaired pitching elbow (via ajc.com).

Beachy, 26, is 2-1 with a 4.50 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 23 strikeouts -- against only four walks -- in five starts since returning from last season's Tommy John surgery. He hasn't started since Aug. 20 due to discomfort in the elbow, so obviously there was some fear he reinjured the ligament.

Instead, Beachy will be shut down for another 10 days before throwing again. He's even willing to join the bullpen down the stretch.

“Obviously I think of myself as a starter, and plan to be a starter in the future but I'm no dummy,” Beachy said (via ajc.com). “You look at the timing of everything, I'm willing to help this team any way I can. Obviously my first priority is making sure I'm healthy and then beyond that helping this team win is paramount.”

The Braves' current rotation is Kris Medlen, Mike Minor, Julio Teheran, Paul Maholm and Alex Wood. The bullpen is stellar, but it never hurts to have another arm the caliber of Beachy's around. He was leading the NL in ERA last season when he tore his ulnar-collateral ligament.